Lungi Murder Trialjudge Orders Accused Statement to Be Tendered

Justice Alusine Sesay Tuesday (February 17) ruled that the statement of a murder accused person should be tendered to form part of the evidence in the court.

Defence counsel Ishmael Philip Mamie had raised an objection on February 10 that the statement of accused person Fatmata Tucker should not be tendered on the grounds that it was not voluntarily obtained by the police.

Judge Sesay said his ruling was based on the testimony of Sergeant Albert Muctarr Thullah of the Criminal Investigation Department at the Lungi police station, who had corroborated claims by the prosecutor that the accused voluntarily signed her statement in a calm and relaxed mood.

The judge recalled that the detective further told the court that before they obtained the statement from the accused they got approval from a doctor who told them that the accused was okay and can talk.

He said the detective also revealed that the statement was witnessed by himself and a certain Inspector Joseph Kamanda and Inspector Conteh, who signed as witnesses, although the accused called no witness.

The judge said the submission by the defence counsel that the witness did not sign her statement voluntarily was successfully rebutted by the prosecution.

The accused Fatmata Tucker is charged with one count of murder contrary law after the prosecution arraigned her for the brutal death of her boyfriend, Saidu Bangura, at the Suffizan Guest House in Lungi, Port Loko District.